Page 65 of Omega Sanctuary

I went into a small room that smelled like ointment and sage. I laid down on the tiny bed and tried to relax.

Aalina and Deja came into the room a minute later. Aalina settled herself on a chair next to the bed, and Deja took a seat near the door.

"Have you had your energy read before?"

"Once. Priestess Sabine." I shuddered at the memory. I hadn’t seen any spirits since coming here, so hopefully, I could manage on my own.

Aalina tisked. "She's not overly skilled in readings."

"Tell me about it," I snorted.

"Better relax."

Aalina's energy was softer but strong. Her energy washed over me, the urge to push her away like the impulse to run from a powerful storm.

I took in a deep breath, remembering Kivai's advice, and let it out.

In a blink, Aalina's energy moved. Less invasive than Sabine's, it was like immersing myself in a fluffy cloud.

Aalina kept her hands hovering over my body. Slowly, her energy receded.

I was no worse off than before except for a headache. I would take that over Sabine's reading any day of the week.

She frowned. "This is a pickle."

I sat up. "What?"

"As a rule, when an omega develops spirit magic, it's quite obvious."

Deja sat up straighter. "She has spirit magic?"

"Yes." Aalina pressed her lips together. "The only reason she's made it this far is she developed some natural shields."

Deja frowned. "The rituals should have picked up on it."

"They're not perfect."

"That's an understatement." I snapped. "You're acting like this is no big deal, but I've spent my entire life fighting these weird symptoms."

"Perhaps once you get some training under your belt you can help us devise a better detection system," Aalina said, all seriousness.

"I just might." I shifted my weight on the bed. "How am I supposed to learn how to control something I don't understand?"

"Spirit magic is tricky business." Aalina rubbed her hands together, the sound like dry paper. "You'll see me for lessons."

Deja nodded. "Thank you, Aalina. I'm not sure Sister Grivea is up to spirit magic of this caliber."

Aalina huffed. "I should think not."

I frowned. "So that's it? I see you for lessons?"

Aalina laughed. "Simple, but not easy. Spirit magic is difficult to learn, harder to master. Especially at your age. I'll put some queries out to the other priestesses, see if they have any suggestions."

I tried to hide my scowl. On the surface, things looked good. I would train with my abilities and take etiquette classes.

But I'd rather be a baker, and from the sounds of Aalina's plans, I would be here far longer than I wanted.

Deja dropped me off at my first class, etiquette. My head was woozy from another spirit reading, so the thought of sitting in a chair and listening to someone talk sounded nice. I needed boring after the months I'd had.

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